The undefeated Franklin County Bulldogs face a tough non-regionchallenge Friday night when they visit Stone Stadium on the Co-Lincampus to meet the Wesson Cobras. The game kicks off at 7:30p.m.

In other area region football action, Lawrence County travels toMcComb, North Pike is at Wilkinson County, Port Gibson visitsHazlehurst, Vicksburg invades South Pike and Crystal Springs is atCollins.

Wesson (1-2) faces a big challenge Friday in Class 3A FranklinCounty (3-0). The host Cobras, under first-year coach TommyClopton, came close but fell short to Class 3A Richland (2-1) 13-7last Friday night.

In contrast, Coach Anthony Hart’s Meadville-based Bulldogs shutout Class 2A Loyd Star 58-0 last Friday.

“They (Franklin County) have a really good football team,” saidClopton. “They’re well coached. Everything they do, they do itwell. They have a tremendous amount of speed. That makes them realdangerous.”

Clopton feels the Bulldogs defensive line will be the biggestthey have faced this season.

Defensively, freshman Bo Tillman directed the Bulldogs witheight tackles and two pass deflections.

“They are very aggressive,” explained Clopton of the Bulldogsdefense. “They go to the football. Their defensive front will bethe biggest we have played against.”

Wesson ‘s Blake Brister carried the football 14 times for 76yards in last Friday’s loss to Richland. Rob Channell rushed 13times for 73 yards and a touchdown. In the air, quarterback MicahDavis completed 5 of 23 passes for 29 yards.

On defense, Bobbie Harris paced the Cobras with eight tacklesand a fumble recovery.

“They are big and look strong up front,” said Hart. “They were aplay away from beating Richland. They traditionally are going toplay you tough every year. Their QB throws the ball well. Theyhaven’t given up any points defensively.”

In last Friday’s win over Loyd Star, Deandrea Cameron poweredFranklin County with 9 carries for 161 yards and four touchdowns.Jasper O’Quinn finished with 10 carries for 101 yards.

Last year, Franklin County thumped Wesson 26-7.

Lawrence County, coached by Mike Davis, is onthe road at winless McComb Friday for a Region 6-4A test. LastFriday, the Monticello-based Cougars handed the Ridgeland Titans a12-0 loss.

McComb (0-3) fell to Wayne County 16-8 last Friday.

Leading Lawrence County over Ridgeland last week was ChrisJefferson with 13 carries for 120 yards and a touchdown. Followingwith eight carries for 54 yards was Will Harris.

In last season’s game, Lawrence pounded McComb 41-21.

North Pike, coached by Adam Barron, is comingoff a tough 14-3 defeat at the hands of West Marion. TheSummit-based Jaguars (0-3) travel to Woodville to face WilkinsonCounty Friday.

Wilkinson County thrashed Jackson, La. 48-0 last week.

Last year, North Pike squashed Wilkinson County 21-8.

Hazlehurst, coached by Willie Brown, had anopen date last week to prepare for Port Gibson. The Indians (1-1)hosts the Blue Waves (0-3) Friday night.

Undefeated Tylertown shut out Port Gibson 64-0 last Friday.

Hazlehurst was a 44-20 winner of Port Gibson last year.

South Pike, coached by Randall Huffman, iscoming off a big 24-22 victory over Class 5A Warren Central. TheClass 4A Magnolia-based Eagles (3-0) turn their attention Friday tothe visiting Class 5A Vicksburg Gators.

Vicksburg (2-1) demolished Natchez 52-6 last Friday.

Last season, South Pike crushed Vicksburg 49-20.

Crystal Springs, coached by David Virgil, isstill looking for its first win of the season but faces a tough foein undefeated Region 66-3A leader Collins. Virgil’s Tigers weremauled 54-6 last Friday by the Magee Trojans in region action.

Collins (3-0) massacred Morton 50-7 last Friday.

Crystal Springs was destroyed 55-0 by Collins in last season’smatchup.